Why Wool? The Sustainable Choice for Quality that Lasts.

Outfitting your home in new carpet can be a daunting task, but taking the time to make the right choice for your family is a worthy investment.  Weisshouse has been a leader in the Pittsburgh carpet market for over 60 years. Our lasting success is dependent largely on our strict adherence to standing by high quality materials that last. Today we're looking at all the reasons that the Weissguys love wool!

Environmentally Friendly

Wool is durable, resilient, and most of all, comfortable. Another added bonus? Wool is a renewable resource! It grows naturally on sheep all year long and is the only widely available carpet choice not made from oil. Not only is it more environmentally conscious choice in regards to manufacturing, wool's long life span greatly outweighs the steeper price tag than its synthetic counterpart. Each year billions of pounds of carpet make their way from residential and commercial buildings and end up in landfills -- wasting valuable space and resources. 

Performance

The natural crimp of wool allows it the ability to retain brilliant dyes gives it the upper hand in retaining your carpets texture. It looks better longer and wears gracefully, gaining character as it ages. Unlike other synthetics, the microscopic scale texture of wool makes it naturally stain resent. Other carpets are treated with stain repellents that will deteriorate over time, leaving your carpet looking dingy and dirty. 

Safety high on your list of priorities? Wool is naturally fire retardant and self extinguishing. 

Value

Don't let the price difference fool you, in the long run wool carpet will actually cost you -- and the environment -- less! The natural stain resistance allows wool to require less cleaning than synthetic alternatives. Wool fibers absorb and release moisture as needed, helping moderate your home's temperature and humidity. 

Comfort

Wool is the ultimate choice for softness and style. It's naturally delustered fibers make it look and feel great, and it's moisture control allows it too feel warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  No other fiber can achieve the natural feel of wool.

Backed by a 3,500 year history, it is hard to argue that any fiber can promise the beauty and luxury of wool. If you're not convinced yet, stop by our showroom and browse over 5,000 hanging carpet samples featuring wool sisals, shags, Wiltons, and Axminsters. We have several in stock options at the lowest price you'll find in Western Pennsylvania and promise to find you the best looking option for your budget.

Top 5 Ways To Invest In a Hand Woven Wool Rug

There are so many options out there when it comes to buying a wool rug. With the multitude of choices available to consumers, we wanted to help and take some of the confusion out of the rug buying process and we've enlisted Good Weave (text in quotes) to help. 

1. Find a good quality rug dealer/retailer who will stand behind the products they sell and provide information based on knowledge. This is what brick and mortar stores are for. Buying rugs online can be tough and will often lead to an expensive mistake.  "The best rug dealers are born educators who love to share their knowledge with you and guide you without bullying. They will encourage you to take rugs home on approval without obligation."

2. Prepare for your new rug. Measure or schedule an appointment with one of our designers to measure for you. "Remember, you should probably have a border of flooring all the way around the rug. Allow for a range of sizes; the greater the range, the more choices you will have."

3. Do you prefer modern rugs or traditional rugs? If you aren't sure, this is another opportunity to speak with one of our designers and decide what style is best in your home. 

4. Don't judge a rug based on the height of the pile.  "Inexperienced rug buyers sometimes mistake a thick pile for quality. In fact, the finest rugs often are the thinnest. Still, if a rug is going to take significant traffic, it should have plenty of body."

5. Finally, buy what you love. Don't listen to your friend or your neighbor. Listen to your gut. Buying a rug is just like buying art. When you see "the one", you'll just feel it:-)

Turn up the Heat and Style with Wool Carpet

Many of our blogs feature our exceptional vintage and new furniture, but did you know that Weisshouse has long been known for carpet? Weisshouse carries the best selection of carpet (both wool and synthetic) in the city. We have many in-stock styles of wool carpet that can be purchased for just a few dollars per square foot. We tell ALL of our carpet customers the same thing: wool wears like no other carpet, lasts forever and adds value and sophistication to any room in your home. Wool is well suited for any high-traffic areas such as hallways, stairways and rooms that are well lived-in. Stop by our showroom and shop our selection of in-stock wool carpet! We measure and install too. A few of our best sellers are pictured below.

Wool: A Great Investment On Your Stairs

An article from The New York Times inspired our latest blog. The talented Weisshouse designers are often asked for tips on what should be replaced, refinished, etc. when selling a home. The NYT article titled, "Market Ready" poses this question (perhaps, from a reader),

"Q. The carpeting on our stairs is worn. Should we replace it before selling our home? And if so, with what?"

"A. At the very least, you should tear it out. “I always recommend taking the old worn carpet off,” said Jamie Marcantonio, a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker in Northport, N.Y. “Similar to how we like to get curb appeal at the front of the house, stairs are the visual entryway to the upstairs,” Ms. Marcantonio said, and can influence the way people feel about the rooms at the top, even before they see them. When carpeted stairs look worn or dirty, it immediately creates the wrong impression."

In addition, the article by Tim McKeough states that if the hardwood stairs look worn, though, you should refinish them or add a carpet runner down the center that leaves the edges of each step exposed. “It’s less expensive than full carpeting,” Ms. Marcantonio said. “And it provides a nice, crisp look that people are looking for.”

Also from the NYT article: Lynne Scalo, an interior designer in Westport, Conn., suggested adding a tasteful runner even if the wood underneath isn’t worn. Particularly in large houses with high ceilings, she said, a runner can make the space feel warmer while providing a more forgiving surface for children.

 

Ms. Scalo often uses Grand Tournai carpeting by Merida. “It’s really fresh looking, wears well and has an organic feeling to it,” she said, that resembles sea grass, but it is actually made from 60 percent wool and 40 percent sisal. It also comes in neutral hues (Ms. Scalo’s favorite is Honey) that appeal to a wide range of tastes — perfect when your intention is to sell.

 

“It’s not million-dollar carpet, but it’s also not cheap,” she said. (The retail price is $17.90 a square foot; information: 800-345-2200 or meridameridian.com.) Weisshouse sells this runner for less at $ 12.95 a square foot (see the photo below).

 

Read the NYT article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/garden/giving-the-staircase-its-due-market-ready.html

 

Image Courtesy of The New York Times

 

 

 

 

A Mix of the Past and Present

We are often featuring what's hot in the world of vintage finds here on the Weisshouse blog. Vintage pieces from the Mid Century Modern era are very, very popular right now and Weisshouse is certainly a valuable resource for finding them. It's true that everything old becomes new again. In addition to genuine vintage furniture, many manufacturers are recreating the past and reinterpreting vintage looking furniture in new ways. Mixing vintage and new "vintage" styles is now easier than ever. Bold, modern fabric prints and bright lacquer finishes on throwback chairs, sofas and tables are popping up in stores and online. Vintage credenzas from the 50s and 60s look fresh with a coat of bright paint. Vintage lamps are new when rewired and outfitted with a sophisticated lampshade in linen, silk or even burlap. Stop by the Weisshouse showroom at 324 S.Highland Avenue in Shadyside or visit our website (www.weisshouse.com) for even more design ideas and inspiration. Check out the photos below for a few of our vintage and new "vintage" favorites.



Liam Sofa (MG+BW)

Vintage Walnut Credenza, Console, Buffet

Major Chair (MG+BW)

Martin Sofa (MG+BW)

Pair of Vintage Brutalist Night Stands/Side Cabinets by Paul Evans

Dean II Chair (MG+BW)

Vintage Russell Wright Side Table with Shelf

Diane's Conversation Chair

Set of Four Vintage Designer Stackable Composite Plastic and Chrome Stainless Steel Chairs

Weisshouse: Green Practices for Over 25 Years

Weisshouse is and always has been on the cutting edge of what's hot in terms of home and office furnishings. However, it is not as widely known that Weisshouse has also been "green" for the entire time it has been a company (nearly 60 years). Even when Weisshouse was named "Modern Curtain and Rug", Jack Weiss was selling and installing 100% wool carpet. Not only does Weisshouse continue to sell the best wool carpet in the industry, they also sell "green" synthetic alternatives as well.

Weisshouse has always adapted to new technology and trends in terms of carpet. However, for 25 years, they have refused to sell and install foam carpet pad. Weisshouse only sells and installs fiber pad. Fiber pad is far superior to foam pad for multiple reasons that include durability and it's impact on the environment and air quality. Last week, The New York Times featured an article outlining the various dangers inherent and associated with foam carpet pad. Please click on this link to view the article in it's entirety: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/garden/tests-on-carpet-padding-show-toxins.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Raising%20Concerns%20About%20Chemicals%20in%20recycled%20carpet%20padding&st=cse

Sadly, most local retailers only install foam carpet pad. Rest assured that when you purchase carpet from Weisshouse, we will never install toxic foam carpet pad. In fact, Jack Weiss shared a story for us that is very interesting...

For the past 25 years, Jack Weiss, founder of Weisshouse has preached the importance of using fiber pad because it does not have toxic fire retardant chemicals like it's foam alternative.

Jack tells the story of a prisoner who set fire to his cell which was lined with foam carpet padding. The guards rescued him but 13 other prisoners died because of the lethal gases from the fire that were carried through the air duct system*

Don’t Pull the Wool Over Your Eyes

Wool was once thought of as itchy, hot and uncomfortable. However, wool is a wonderful alternative when it comes to its synthetic counterparts. Today’s interiors can take advantage of the many advantages that wool has to offer in upholstery, bedding and of course, carpet and rugs. Not only does wool wear better and outlast synthetic based goods, it is a sustainable, earth loving product unlike petroleum based textiles and carpet.

The advantages of wool products are endless. First and foremost, it wicks moisture away from the body better than any other material, manufactured or natural, says Chris Lupton, Ph.D., a wool and mohair fiber expert at Texas A&M Research Center at San Angelo. In fact, wool can absorb up to 30 percent of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet—more than ten times what synthetics or feathers can handle, according to an article published on www.natural homemagazine.com titled, Wool Bedding: Sleep Like a Lamb.

Finally, and perhaps most important, wool is beautiful. It takes and holds color gloriously and wears like steel. You will never regret investing in wool for your home or office. Wool is timeless, environmentally superior and a breath of fresh air in world filled with chemicals and synthetic products.

Photos (top to bottom): 1. Stunning patterned wool carpet that can be installed wall to wall or made into a custom sized rug available at Weisshouse 2. Machine washable Woolley “Down” Pillow available at http://holylamborganics.com/pillows.html 3. Adorable felted wool bowls available at Etsy from missyandme (seller)